I have a business idea – test and develop it

A good business idea addresses a real customer need. It should help answer at least three questions:

• What do you offer?
• Who are you offering to?
• How do you implement a service or product?

A good idea doesn't have to be completely new. You can offer a familiar service to a new customer group, make it more accessible, or serve customers better than your competitors. The most important thing is to find out if someone needs your product or service and is willing to pay for it.

Start by describing your idea in one sentence. Complete the following sentence: I help [customer] solve [problem or need] by providing [product or service].

Example 1:
I help busy families with children keep their homes tidy by offering flexible and reliable home cleaning.

Example 2:
I help small businesses reach international customers by providing multilingual marketing services.

Don't worry if the sentence isn't perfect right away. It can be changed as you learn more about your customers.

Various tests and assessment tools help you examine your idea from the perspectives of customers, competition, your own expertise, and the economy.

Vitality Center In the Business Idea and Market Test You can evaluate your business idea and its market potential. The test helps you consider, for example:

Is there a demand for the product or service?
Do you know your potential customers?
How do you stand out from your competitors?
what kind of resources are required to implement the idea.

After the test, consider:

• What about your idea already seems strong?
• What issue still needs to be clarified?

New Business Center Idea button is not a regular automated test. You write a short description of your business idea in the service, after which a business advisor will evaluate it and help you move forward. (Note: The Idea App will ask you to select the municipality where you live. If you are from Hausjärvi or Loppe, select Riihimäki as the municipality).

Tell us about your idea, for example:

• What would you like to sell?
• Who would you like to sell to?
• What problem are you solving?
• Where would the company operate?
• What have you already done to develop the idea?

Using the service doesn't mean you have to start a business. You can also ask for feedback on an idea that is in the very early stages.

Startup centers offer guidance and advice on starting a business. See more on the topic on the New Business Center website (link opens in a new window)..

Answer each question yes, partially, or not yet.

• I can express my ideas in one or two sentences.
• I know what problem my product or service solves
• I know who could be my first client.
• I have discussed my idea with potential clients.
• I know what similar products or services are already available
• I can tell you why a customer would choose me.
• I have an idea of ​​what my product or service would cost.
• I know what tools, permits or skills I need
• I have assessed the most important costs of doing business.
• I know what my next little experiment with my idea would be.

What does your result tell you?

Mostly “yes”
Your idea is already quite advanced. Next, you can start writing a business plan, doing calculations, and talking to a business advisor.

Mostly “partially”
You have a good starting point. Next, focus on customers, competitors, and how you could test your idea on a small scale.

Mostly “not yet”
No problem. A business idea develops through exploration, discussion and experimentation. Choose one question to which you will next seek an answer.

Don’t start by asking your friends, “Is this a good idea?” They may say yes just to be friendly. Instead, talk to someone who could actually be your customer. For example, ask:

• What kind of problems are you having with this?
• How are you solving the problem right now?
• What is difficult or expensive about the current solution?
• How often does the problem occur?
• What would a good solution mean to you?
• Have you ever paid for a product or service like this?
• How do you choose a service provider?
• Where would you look for such a service?

Listen more than you tell about your own idea. The goal is not to convince the customer, but to learn about their needs.

Do a small experiment with your idea. You don't have to build a finished product or start a company right away. First, think of the smallest and safest way to test your idea. For example, you could:

• present the service to a few potential customers
• make a simple brochure or web page draft
• shows a drawing, model or prototype of the product
• provide a service to a limited test group
• request pre-orders
• participate in an event or vendors
• publish an announcement about the idea and monitor interest
• Perform one paid trial.

The goal of the experiment is to find out whether the idea arouses interest and whether someone would be willing to pay for it.

Before you try out sales, consider any licensing, tax, unemployment insurance and contract issues. If necessary, talk to a business advisor or your own employment specialist.

A competitor is not just a company that sells exactly the same product. The customer may also solve their needs in a different way or not buy at all.

Clarify:

• What similar products or services are available?
• What do they cost?
• Who are they marketed to?
• Where are they sold?
• What do customers value about them?
• What do customers criticize about them?
• How does your idea differ from theirs?

The existence of competitors does not mean that the idea is bad. It can indicate that there is demand for the product or service.

Write at least two things under each heading.

Strengths
What about your idea, skills or background will help you succeed?

Weaknesses
What skills, money, time or other resources are you still lacking?

Potential
What kind of customer needs, changes or networks could help your idea?

Threats
What competitors, costs, permits or life situation-related issues could make implementation difficult?

A weakness or threat doesn't mean you should abandon the idea. Recognizing it helps you prepare.

1. Who are my most important customers?
2. What problem am I solving for them?
3. What product or service do I offer?
4. Why would a customer choose me?
5. Where can the customer find me?
6. How do I keep in touch with customers?
7. Where does the company's income come from?
8. What are the main costs?
9. What skills, tools and partners do I need?

The answers will help you get a first draft of your business model idea.

A general business idea alone is usually not copyrightable. However, a company name, trademark, design, technical invention, software or other produced material may be copyrightable. However, do not keep your idea so secret that you cannot discuss it with potential customers or advisors. Without discussions, it is difficult to determine whether there is a real need for the idea.

If your idea involves a new technical solution, invention, or other specific intangible property, seek expert advice before publishing the details.

Stop for a moment to think:

• What excites me most about my business idea?
• Whose problem do I want to solve?
• What do I know about my customers and what is still based on assumptions?
• What would be the most important reason to buy from me?
• What could prevent the idea from working?
• What can I figure out this week?
• Who should I talk to?
• What would be the smallest possible way to test an idea?
• How much would a customer be willing to pay?
• What support do I need next?